Since it rolled off the Jaguar production line in 1961, the iconic E-Type has been one of the most desirable cars in the world, a heady mixture of style, elegance, performance, passion, good looks and engineering excellence.

This wonderful celebration, made to mark the E-Type’s 50th anniversary, recalls the history and sporting pedigree of the British masterpiece, revisits the legendary machines, meets the experts and discovers how the E-type is being readied for another five decades of automotive distinction.

Archive film and glorious modern footage of meticulously maintained surviving examples charts the story of Jaguar and the racing successes of the 1950s which paved the way for the ultimate road-going sportscar, the E-Type. We hear from leading expert Philip Porter about his E-type collection, which includes the famous 9600 HP which was hurriedly driven from Coventry to Geneva for car’s launch and a roadster film buffs may recognise from The Italian Job.

Notably, this celebration includes the recollections of former Jaguar chief development test engineer Norman Dewis about his epic overnight drive from the factory to the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 – covering the distance in just 11 hours at an average speed of 68mph!

We also join some of the special events held in 2011 to mark the E-Type’s 50th anniversary, including a journey from Coventry to Geneva by 50 special E-Types, the E-Type Challenge racing series and the Silverstone Classic, attended by more than 1,000 E-Types and including a record-breaking parade involving hundreds of these marvellous machines.

Finally, we hear from Henry Pearman, whose company Eagle E-Type is giving this classic a whole new lease of life. Renowned for its ‘ground up’ restorations, Eagle returns E-Types to their former glory and, building on the existing design excellence, makes this 50-year-old icon an essential for modern driving – described by Jeremy Clarkson as his ‘car of the century’!